Recent research indicates that 79% of consumers’ New Year’s goals revolve around improving health, with 34% focusing specifically on dietary changes. According to a Euromonitor study, over 60% of consumers plan to adopt healthier eating habits in 2024, favoring products with functional health benefits such as immunity support and improved digestive health. This trend highlights an ongoing shift in consumer priorities, creating new challenges and opportunities for food manufacturers.
“The food industry is under pressure to balance regulatory compliance, consumer demand, and sensory appeal”
The global wellness market continues to expand at an annual rate of 5-10%, driven in part by weight management and health-focused products. Notably, 30% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for healthier food and beverage options. This growing interest, particularly strong at the start of the year, underscores the increasing pressure on manufacturers to deliver products that cater to health-conscious buyers while maintaining flavor and texture.
Stricter regulations on sodium, sugar, and artificial additives are reshaping the food industry. At the same time, consumer expectations for healthier yet flavorful options demand innovation. Daria Pashkova, product and marketing manager at Ohly, notes the need for balance: “The food industry is under pressure to balance regulatory compliance, consumer demand, and sensory appeal. A primary objective is to lower salt and sugar content while maintaining flavor integrity, and ingredients like yeast extracts offer a wide range of solutions when used in the correct application.”
Yeast extracts are emerging as a versatile ingredient for improving taste in reduced-sodium and low-sugar products. Rich in glutamic acid and nucleotides, yeast extracts enhance umami flavors, allowing manufacturers to reduce salt without sacrificing taste. These extracts interact with umami taste receptors, intensifying the savory flavor profile of foods. Additionally, yeast extracts can mask bitter notes in low-sugar products, providing a balanced and pleasant flavor.
Functional ingredients, including dietary fibers, probiotics, and natural antioxidants, are also gaining popularity. These components not only support digestive health but also enable manufacturers to highlight claims like “promotes gut health” or “rich in antioxidants” on product labels, appealing directly to health-conscious consumers.
Innovations in plant-based and clean-label products
One significant challenge in the plant-based sector is replicating the savory and rich flavors of meat and dairy. Yeast extracts’ umami-rich profile helps to enhance the taste and mouthfeel of plant-based products while masking undesirable earthy or beany notes. This makes plant-based meat and dairy alternatives more palatable and similar to their animal-based counterparts.
Transparency and recognizability in ingredient lists remain a top priority for consumers. By incorporating yeast extracts, manufacturers can address regulatory requirements and consumer demand for clean-label, health-conscious foods.
The push for “better-for-you” formulations reflects a broader consumer shift toward health and wellness. As Pashkova explains, “Consumer expectations are ever-evolving, and a key trend we see heightened at the beginning of each year is a focus on healthier options.” To meet these demands, food manufacturers must navigate the complexities of regulation, innovation, and consumer preferences while delivering products that satisfy both health and sensory expectations.
